While the hospital does anticipate that they will care for more patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in the future, it is a milestone moment.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The COVID-19 vaccine is now in St. Johns County. Several Flagler Health Plus workers got their first doses Tuesday afternoon. There were 191 new cases reported Monday in St. Johns County. Flagler Health Plus had 27 known COVID-19 patients admitted as of Monday, hospital representative Erin Wallner said. Several Flagler Health Plus workers got their first doses Tuesday afternoon.

Fear of going to the hospital amid the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to an increase in deaths, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis and doctors at Flagler Health. Speaking at a press conference Saturday afternoon, DeSantis hinted that the move to hold off on elective procedures early on in the COVID-19 pandemic may have been the wrong move. Dr. Miguel Machado, chief medical officer at Flagler Health, said he noticed something odd. Eventually, we will be able to figure out the mortality increase linked to people being fearful of getting care, DeSantis said.

St. Johns County is a state leader in overall deaths by suicide for young adults ages 18 through 24. With a $1 million gift from The Players, Flagler Health+ is partnering with St. Johns County public schools to launch a program designed to address the mental health stigma that prevents youth from seeking support for themselves and/or their peers experiencing mental distress. In Florida, six out of 10 youth (66.8%) who are depressed and are most at-risk for depression do not receive any mental health treatment. is meant to change that by providing St. Johns County public school students and families with improved access to behavioral health services. Seventy students from around St. Johns County have already signed up for the program.